Looking for additional area to go with Estes Park trip
 

We are flying into Denver next month, and although Estes Park and RMNP are always a must for us (we love it); we'd like to to add a few days of something new to it. We've done SW Corner (Durango, Silverton, Ouray) on a trip by itself a few times . Last year we went to Vail, Aspen, and Glenwood Springs before heading up to Estes Park. What is some other places with beautiful sites, hiking, and other activity that you really like? I get mixed reviews when I read about Pikes Peak on here, but interested in hearing if you like it. Is Steamboat a good trip for a few days? Anywhere other suggestions welcomed. Thanks in advance.

The Colorado Springs area gets sneered at, but there are a lot of tourist things (pikes peak, waterfalls, cave,and pueblo cliff dwelling, garden of the gods, cheyenne Mt zoo, etc.)and nearby sites like Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Cripple creek and so on.
I think it's well worth a look.

Steamboat is great for hiking, biking, soaking in hot springs. Fish creek falls, Yampa river trail, small botanic gardens, several hot springs pool choices, pleasant Main Street with ships and restaurants. Steamboat lake is close by for additional hiking as well. Several days would be well spent in the area.

I like Colorado Springs too. A lot to do there as noted by Sylvia. You can't go wrong with either choice for a delightful few days.

Ouray is an awesome little town with some great hiking in the surrounding areas. Our last trip to Ouray we stayed in town and drove to a couple great hikes in the Silverton/Telluride area. Ice Lakes is a very popular hike, so expect crowds, but it's well worth it.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/ice-lakes.htm

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/blue-lakes.htm

If you decide to go to Steamboat, the drive up Poudre Canyon (west of Fort Collins) is really nice. You can stop at Colorado State Forest State Park or the NW corner of RMNP and do some hiking.

Thank you. These are good ideas. Someone also told me about Grand Lake. Anyone been, and was it worth staying on that side of the park? If so, what do you do there? Like it or not?

Grand Lake is nice. It's quieter, not as crowded/touristy as Estes Park. However, the better/more dramatic scenery is on the Estes side of the park. If you've done most of the stuff on the east side, then you can definitely give Grand Lake a try. Just know that you'll be looking at more meadows and forest than mountain peaks.